Gene:
UDP glycosyltransferase 8 (UDP-galactose ceramide galactosyltransferase)
Gene ID:
201870
Symbol:
UGT8
Species:
1000
Description:
Galactocerebrosides are abundant sphingolipids of the myelin membrane of the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system and are also present in small amounts in kidney. The key enzymatic step in the biosynthesis of galactocerebrosides consists of the transfer of galactose to ceramide catalyzed by UDP-galactose ceramide galactosyltransferase (CGT, EC 2.4.1.45). The enzyme encoded by the CGT gene is the first involved in complex lipid biosynthesis in the myelinating oligodendrocyte.[supplied by OMIM]